Red Cloud Falls

The sounds of battle at Blackwater Bay shook the heavens. Qin Yuan had been gravely wounded by Ao Cang's spear, and as he flew backward, a colossal wave suddenly surged a hundred thousand feet into the air. It wasn't Ji Meng manipulating the waters, but a far more immense and overwhelming demonic power, which forcefully suppressed the Dragon Clan's might.

"Ao Cang, don't you dare harm my fellow demon!"

A clear, steady voice pierced the clamor of battle. A refined-looking figure in a green robe came striding over the waves, faint spiritual light swirling around him. Behind him followed several thousand elite demons, their auras tightly controlled. At the front were several demon generals of the Great Luo Golden Immortal rank. Bai Ze held a feather fan decorated with a map of the Primordial World's mountains and rivers. With every wave of the fan, invisible currents spread outward, completely dispelling the lingering dragon aura around Qin Yuan.

These were the true elites of the Demon Race, seasoned veterans who had fought the Wu Race and the Anti-Demon Alliance for years. They were nothing like the demons Ji Meng and the others had hastily gathered to make up the numbers! There had long been rumors that the Demon Race still had a powerful army hidden away—the very army that had fought the Wu Race in the first Witch-Demon War. It had disappeared after the battle. Judging by the troops behind Bai Ze, this must be the legendary force!

A flicker of surprise crossed Ao Cang's eyes. The Demon Race hadn't even deployed this force in its battles against the Anti-Demon Alliance, yet now it had chosen to reveal the army it had kept hidden for so long!

As for the claim that the Demon Race lacked troops, that was pure nonsense. Only the idiots of the Anti-Demon Alliance—those Asura—would believe it. The Demon Race numbered in the hundreds of millions. How could it possibly lack soldiers?

Ao Cang didn't call him out, though. He leveled the Sea-Splitting Spear at the green-robed figure. "So it's you, Demon Saint Bai Ze. The Demon Race has even brought you out. With Eastern Emperor Taiyi holding Blood Sea alone, if the Anti-Demon Alliance led by Brahma takes the opportunity to launch a surprise attack, won't your entire front line collapse?"

Bai Ze gently waved his feather fan and surveyed the battlefield. Ji Meng had already taken the opportunity to withdraw from the Water God Mansion's barrier, helping the gravely wounded Qin Yuan retreat behind him. "The Blood Sea defenses are impregnable. His Highness Taiyi can handle a hothead like Brahma with ease. Blackwater Bay, on the other hand, is crucial to you humans and the Dragon Clan. If your joint forces break through, wouldn't that spell disaster for my Demon Race?" His tone was even, but his confidence left no room for doubt. "Besides, when did I ever say these were the only troops I brought?"

As soon as he finished speaking, demonic energy surged across the world. Countless demon warships appeared on the sea in every direction, their sails emblazoned with the totem of the Three-legged Golden Crow. They were elite troops secretly transferred from the Blood Sea by Eastern Emperor Taiyi. Two more terrifying auras descended from the void: Shang Yang and Ghost Chariot, the other two Quasi-Sages left behind at the Blood Sea. Shang Yang stood upon auspicious clouds, his wings spread wide enough to blot out the sky. Ghost Chariot took the form of a ten-headed giant bird, surrounded by a frigid aura of death. The two Quasi-Sages joined Bai Ze, Ji Meng, and Qin Yuan, instantly creating a standoff between five Quasi-Sages on each side.

The three Quasi-Sages of the Dragon Clan looked grave. Ao Cang said in a low voice, "Bai Ze, are you really determined to fight our human-Dragon alliance to the bitter end? What do you gain by starting this war? Aren't you afraid the favorable situation you worked so hard to create—trapping the Anti-Demon Alliance at the Blood Sea—will be thrown into turmoil again?"

"Not at all." Bai Ze shook his head with a faint smile. "The Tribulation of Calamity is approaching, and every race must make its choices. The Blood Sea won't fall, either. Brahma thinks he has the advantage, but he doesn't know that every move he makes has long been part of my calculations." He pointed his feather fan toward the human warships. "Your alliance with the Dragon Clan is the true threat to my people. I only meant to test you, but now it seems humans are indeed more dangerous than the Anti-Demon Alliance!"

"Hmph! You certainly are the Demon Race's master strategist. In just a few words, you've driven the Human Race and the Dragon Clan into opposition. Since our birth, we humans have been on good terms with the other races. We love peace and only want to trade with them. But what about you? You've provoked us time and again, and this time you've even reached into the lands around our borders. So according to you, we're not allowed to fight back? The moment we do, we're a threat to your Demon Race!"

Jiang He had also come down from the human warship. He fired back at Bai Ze.

Bai Ze glanced sidelong at Jiang He and laughed to himself. Since when has the Human Race been as honest as you claim? Just look at your warehouse after warehouse of demon cores, and then tell me you're no threat!

"Fellow Daoist Jiang He, I know exactly what kind of person you are. Let's speak plainly today. You say the Demon Race is targeting you? Then why don't you take a good look at whether your Human Race is really so innocent? We're all smart people. Don't make me spell it out!"

Jiang He cursed inwardly. Damn, this old fox plays dirty. He's trying to expose my secrets! The Human Race really isn't the meek little lamb it used to be. We've already wiped out all the demons around us!

But even if I did it, you can't just say it out loud! Empress Nuwa already scolded me for this. I was just about to change my ways, and now you won't even give me the chance!

"Fellow Daoist Bai Ze, you're mistaken. My Human Race doesn't want to dominate the Primordial World like your Demon Race does. As long as we have the Holy Mother, we have nothing to fear, so there's no need for us to expand or fight for supremacy. We just want to trade in peace!" Jiang He's meaning was clear: I don't want to compete with you for the Primordial World. I have no ambition! But don't mess with me, either. I've got an adult at home! I just want to make a little money!

Bai Ze was momentarily at a loss for words. So you can't win the argument, and now you're using a Sage to pressure me. Fine, you win. Having a Sage in the family really does let you do whatever you want!

"Fine. Let's both take a step back today and draw a line here. Neither side will cross it." Bai Ze pondered this for a long while before speaking.

He decided it was best not to provoke the Human Race for now. Jiang He had been right about one thing: he had no need to dominate the world. With a Sage on their side, the Demon Race couldn't do anything to the humans, even if it ruled the world! He might as well use this opportunity to keep the Human Race tied down here.

That would also remove the Human Race as a source of trouble and leave him free to deal with the Blood Sea!

When Jiang He heard Bai Ze concede, he decided not to press the matter. After all, he hadn't intended to start an all-out war. He agreed, saying, "The Human Race has no objections. The Dragon Clan and the Human Race stand as one, so their territory is our territory, too. We hope the Demon Race won't cross the border again."

After the two sides reached an agreement, they left some soldiers behind to garrison the area and withdrew the rest of their forces.

At the same time as the situation at Blackwater Bay was settled, Jiang He had already secretly mobilized the human forces he had withdrawn, launching a quiet campaign to purge the surrounding areas. The Mysterious Armor Army, led by Bai Qi, drove like a sharp blade into the scattered factions near human territory. Some were small groups that relied on the Demon Race; others were mountain spirits and ghosts who had risen amid the chaos, or neutral cultivators who couldn't make up their minds.

"By order of Clan Leader Jiang He: anyone who violates the Human Race's alliance agreement and secretly conspires with the Demon Race will be shown no mercy!" Bai Qi held the Iron Blood Spear, its tip stained with blood, as he led the soldiers in a sweep of a demon's lair nestled in the mountains. Though the lair's demons had a Great Luo Golden Immortal in their ranks, they were no match for the battle-hardened Mysterious Armor Army. In less than half an hour, they were completely wiped out. The demon's lair was burned to the ground, and the demonic energy within a hundred-mile radius vanished without a trace.

At the same time, human outposts across the land acted in unison, swiftly eliminating threats in the surrounding areas. The forces that had once eyed the Human Race hungrily were either wiped out, forced to migrate, or made to submit. Within just a few days, the threats around human territory had been swept away. Its borders quietly expanded, and its power grew ever more secure.

Bai Ze wasn't angry when he heard the news. Those demons had survived in the cracks between the Human Race and the Demon Race, obeying neither side. Even if Jiang He hadn't eliminated them, the Demon Race would have dealt with them sooner or later!

Just then, a Jade Talisman containing gentle spiritual energy appeared silently in Jiang He's hand. A familiar aura of the Holy Mother swirled around it. It was a message from Empress Nuwa. Jiang He lightly tapped the talisman, and Nuwa's voice rang out in his mind: "Jiang He! The workings of Heaven have changed. The Tribulation of Calamity has arrived. The Human Race should avoid getting too deeply involved in the conflict right now. Withdraw as soon as possible and consolidate your strength. That's the best course of action."

"Don't worry, Mother Goddess. I understand." Jiang He's heart tightened. Empress Nuwa's message confirmed his suspicions. "The Human Race has cleared the surrounding forces. From now on, we'll pull back our front lines and focus on development."

The Jade Talisman dissolved into specks of light. Jiang He was about to plan the next steps when another Communication Ring suddenly vibrated, bringing an urgent report from a human scout: "My lord! Red Cloud has been spotted along the East Sea coast, but he's under attack from several peak Quasi-Sages. His situation is critical!"

Jiang He was startled and thought, It's happening! Red Cloud was the one to set off this Tribulation of Calamity!

Along the East Sea coast

Red Cloud stood drenched in blood, clad in red robes, with Primordial Violet Qi swirling around him, yet several terrifying auras had him surrounded. Ancestor Minghe held the Yuantu Abi Twin Swords, their blades exuding a chill as greed filled his blood-red eyes. Eastern Emperor Taiyi had somehow left the Blood Sea defenses; the Chaos Bell floated above him, its toll deafening. Di Jun wore golden crow armor, flames surging around him as he joined Eastern Emperor Taiyi in a pincer formation. A shadow lurked in the void as well: Kunpeng, who had not appeared for a long time. Murderous energy surged around him. He had clearly come for revenge and the Primordial Violet Qi.

Though Red Cloud had profound cultivation, he could barely hold out against four peak Quasi-Sages. The horsetail whisk in his hand had long since snapped, and his honest face was full of grim resolve. Primordial Violet Qi formed a protective barrier around him, but it was already riddled with cracks. "Minghe, Taiyi, Di Jun, Kunpeng... For the sake of Primordial Violet Qi, you've cast aside every last shred of dignity!" Red Cloud roared as the spiritual power within him burned wildly.

"Primordial Violet Qi belongs to the worthy. Red Cloud, you have mediocre talent, and though you possess a treasure, you lack the strength to protect it. You've only brought disaster upon yourself!" Ancestor Minghe sneered. He struck with both swords, their blood-red sword energy tearing through the barrier and carving a wound deep enough to expose bone in Red Cloud's shoulder.

Eastern Emperor Taiyi shook the Chaos Bell. Its toll became a wave of sound that sent Red Cloud's blood and qi surging. "You should never have laid claim to Primordial Violet Qi when you listened to the Dao at Zixiao Palace. Today is your death!"

Red Cloud coughed up blood, but not a trace of fear showed in his eyes. Instead, a hint of carefree abandon crossed his face. "The Great Dao is unjust. There's no point fighting for what can't be forced! Whoever wants this Primordial Violet Qi can come and take it!" He jerked his head up, and brilliant red light erupted from within him. The Primordial Violet Qi suddenly contracted and was drawn entirely into his body.

"Not good! He's going to self-destruct!" Kunpeng's expression changed drastically, and he turned to flee.

But it was too late. Red Cloud's body exploded with a deafening roar. The terrifying shock wave swept in every direction, and the Primordial Violet Qi scattered in the blast, dissolving into specks of light across the Primordial World. Ancestor Minghe, Eastern Emperor Taiyi, Di Jun, and Kunpeng managed to defend themselves in time, but the blast still gravely wounded them. Each spat out a mouthful of blood, their figures staggering.

Just then, a streak of green light shot toward them. It was Zhenyuanzi, who had arrived at last. He gazed at the ruins where Red Cloud had self-destructed, grief filling his eyes. He raised his hand to set up a barrier and carefully gathered the faint trace of a primordial spirit that remained in the air. It held Red Cloud's final yearning; if it wasn't entrusted to something soon, it would vanish completely.

Zhenyuanzi watched the figures disappear, and a cold, murderous light flashed in his eyes.